In 2025, trade policy debates unfolded against a backdrop of continued uncertainty and structural change in the global economy. Shifting geopolitical dynamics, sustainability pressures and rapid technological change shaped how countries approached trade throughout the year. In this context, the OECD’s Trade and Agriculture Directorate focused on helping Members and Partners navigate these developments, combining evidence and analysis with one of the Organisation’s core strengths: providing a forum for discussion.
A defining feature of trade discussions in 2025, reflected in the focus of this year’s OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, was the growing emphasis on resilience and trust in global trade relations. The need for a trust-based and inclusive approach was also emphasised by leaders from Emerging and Developing Economies (EMDE) at the 28th Export Credit Forum, which focused on the critical role of OECD Export Credit Agencies in financing EMDE projects, particularly through the mobilisation of private capital.
Concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities, non-market policies and economic security remained high on policymakers’ agendas throughout the year. These issues were notably explored during the OECD Forum on Critical Supply Chains, which brought policymakers and private sector representatives together to identify bottlenecks and practical solutions, particularly in the pharmaceutical and agri-food supply chains. Building on this work and on the 2023 OECD Trade Strategy, the Directorate published the first-ever Supply Chain Resilience Review, bringing together key data and analysis and further contributing to discussions on how countries can strengthen resilience without undermining the benefits of open markets.
As attention turned to resilience, questions of integrity and fairness in trade also emerged. The first OECD Forum on Countering Illicit Trade reflected growing concern about the economic, security and human rights impacts of illicit trade, and the need for stronger international co-operation to address it. Efforts to promote integrity and transparency were further reinforced through the expansion of the OECD Free Trade Zone Certification Scheme, highlighting the role of governance frameworks in strengthening trust across global trade networks.
At the same time, trade policy discussions increasingly focused on who benefits from trade and how its gains are shared. The launch of the Gender and Trade Review of Latin America shed light on how trade policies can affect women and men differently and offered practical pathways for more gender-responsive trade policy design.
But none of these discussions can be translated into effective policy without reliable data. Throughout 2025, OECD trade data and indicators continued to underpin policy debates, helping governments move beyond assumptions and anecdote. Updates to flagship databases such as the OECD’s Services Trade Restrictiveness Index and the Trade Facilitation Indicators supported assessments of regulatory barriers and reform progress. In parallel, new evidence on export restrictions on critical raw materials and on the market implications of industrial subsidies provided timely input into discussions on market distortions and global competitiveness.
As trade practices and policy frameworks increasingly evolve in digital and data-driven environments, the need for comparable evidence on digital trade policies has become even more pronounced. The launch of the first edition of the Index of Digital Trade Integration and Openness (INDIGO) responded to this need by offering a comprehensive snapshot of digital trade discussions and commitments across countries.
Taken together, trade policy discussions in 2025 highlighted how closely interconnected today’s trade challenges have become. As countries continue to navigate these dynamics, the OECD’s role in providing evidence, fostering dialogue and supporting policy learning remains as relevant as ever.
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